SmashMouth

The more I look at this draft, the more I don't like how it shapes up for the Saints at No. 27. The pool of players likely to be available at No. 27 doesn't really match the Saints' list of needs. So it makes sense for the Saints to take the best player available at No. 27. Or...
Make a trade to procure the player they like.
I think this is the year the Saints do some heavy dealing. They have eight draft picks and eight rookies aren't likely to make their roster. They lack a second round pick, which poses a problem in a draft most analysts believe is 100 deep in starting quality prospects.
The Saints will need to be aggressive this year if they hope to acquire impact talents.
Saints head coach Sean Payton identified edge rusher, tight end and wide receiver as “must” positions on the team’s offseason To Do list. If the Saints can find a top prospect at any one of these positions at No. 27 then I think they’ll pull the trigger.



Round 1 (No. 27): WR D.J. Moore, Maryland
Moore is a perfect fit in the Saints’ high-powered offense. Sean Payton called wide receiver a “must” on his offseason to-do list and the Saints are trying to address the position by signing restricted free agent Cam Meredith to an offer sheet. Whether Chicago chooses to match the Saints’ offer remains to be seen. Even if Meredith joins the Saints, I think the versatile, explosive Moore would still be attractive target at No. 27. He has been compared to Golden Tate and Steve Smith because of his competitiveness, compact frame and running ability after the catch. Moore would slot perfectly alongside Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr. in the Saints’ three-receiver sets. Moore’s ability in the slot would go a long way toward helping the Saints’ improve their third down conversation rate, a point of emphasis this offseason. Moore earned raves from Maryland coaches for his leadership, work ethic and football character. He can also return punts, which would potentially save the Saints a roster spot.

Round 2 (43): (Trade) OLB Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
After employing the Best Player Available Strategy at No. 27, the Saints need to start addressing needs. They lack a second-round pick because of the 2017 trade for Alvin Kamara. To acquire a top pass rusher in this draft, they'll almost certainly need to trade up. Getting back in to the second round won't be easy, especially without a second-rounder of their own. The trade will come at a steep price but the Saints can afford to be aggressive here as they try to make one final Super Bowl run in the Drew Brees era. In this mock, the Saints work out a deal with the New England Patriots for the first of their two second-round picks. The Saints trade their 2019 second-round pick, their 2018 third-rounder (No. 91), the first of their two fifth-round picks (No. 147) and a seventh-rounder (No. 245) to make it happen. That might seem like a lot of draft capital, but it's all about priorities. The Saints don't need all eight draft picks. Eight rookies are not going to make this roster. And they desperately need to acquire an edge rusher to bolster their front 7. Carter might be the best one left in this draft and he carries a high second round grade. The freakishly athletic outside linebacker-edge rusher who would add much needed speed off the edge. He has been compared to another former Georgia standout, Leonard Floyd, and has the raw ability to be the dynamic playmaker off the edge the Saints defense has lacked in recent years. No player of his caliber is going to be on the board in Round 3 so a trade makes sense.

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